2nd Lieutenant, Charles Issard Francis VINCENT
Aged 20
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Charles Issard Francis VINCENT was born at 7 Bertram Road, Bradford on 18th July 1898,(Bradford Q3-1898 9B:92), baptised in St. Jude's,
Bradford on 14th August 18198, son of Charles Cooper and Ada Jane VINCENT(née ISSARD). Known as Francis.
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at 106 Withersfeild Road, Haverhill with his father Charles C.VINCENT [34] solicitor born Haverhill; his mother Ada J [34] born Bradford, Yorkshire and sister Audrey E [1 month] born Haverhill. 1911 census... Aged 12, he was at the Royal Masonic School, The Avenue, Bushey, Herts. His widowed mother and sister Audrey were at Croot Hewelyn, Builth Wells at the home of his uncle, Rev E Tudor M EVANS and aunt Bessie Mabel (née ISSARD) and their daughter Marjorie. His father had died in 1902 in a shooting accident on Boxing Day in Haverhill. His mother died in Builth in 1911,her family were from Newtown. Powys. His educational successes included the Cambridge Senior (first class honours), Cambridge Higher Local and London University Intermediate Arts Examinations. He won the Institution Silver Medal in 1915 and 1916 and the Canonbury Gold Medal in 1914. During his last year he was Head of School. Had he not joined the Army in December 1916 he would in all probability have gained a University Scholarship, indeed before he was 18 years old, Christ Church, Oxford made him an offer to receive him as a commoner and ofered financial aid on the result of their History Scholarship Examination in 1916. His last address was "Woodside", Mitchell Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne and probate was granted to Rev. Edwin Tudor Moses EVANS. |
photo courtesy of relative, Rebecca Mann
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He enlisted in the Artists Rifles (28th Battalion, London Regiment on 15th July 1916 at Watford. He gave his age as 17 years 11 months, a student teacher at Royal Masonic School, Bushey,Herts. He was 5 feet 11 inches (180.3 cm) tall, chest 33.5" to 37" (85.1 to 94 cm), weighing 154 lbs (70.1 kg). His next of kin was his sister Audrey of Brawdy Vicarage, Penycwm, Pembrokeshire. He was placed in the Reserves and mobilised on 15th December 1916. There is no record of overseas service with them. In February 1917 he was at Hare Hall Camp, Romford with the Artists Rifles O.T.C. having applied for a commission. He was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards on 29th May 1917. His uncle, Rev E.Tudor.M. Evans was his executor and he bequeathed all his possessions and monies to his "beloved and only sister Audrey Eleanor Vincent of Brawdy Vicarage, Penycwm, Pembrokeshire, who is solely dependent on me". His Battalion were at HAUSSY, with the Grenadier Guards on their left and East Surreys on the right. He was with No.4 Company. The war diary for 16th has:- "16th - At 5.20 am the Brigade on our left made a very successful attack on HAUSSY, reaching the eastern outskirts of the village.The result of this however was that a large gap was left between their right and our left. About mid day No.4 Company was rushed up to fill the gap, but no sooner had they reached the village than a very heavy hostile barrage was put down on the whole area. They had however just reached their position when the enemy counter-attacked. The troops on their left gave way and they were completely surrounded. They fought their way back as best they could, but only about 30 reached the railway.These were taken in charge by the East Surreys and finally towards evening established a position in the western outskirts of the village. No.1 Company brought quite effective machine gun fire to bear on the enemy while they were advancing from the opposite crest, but the enemy soon became out of range. and observation. Reaching the village 2nd Lieut. H.C. Chalmers was wounded and so was able to be evacuated safely. Capt G.H.Smith MC was hit in the shoulder and was removed to a cellar Both Capt.Smith and 2nd Lieut. C.I.F.Vincent were both unfortunately missing.Patrols went out in the evening to look for wounded, but without result, and the remainder of No 4 Company were collected and amalgamated with N0.12 Company. Casualties were :- 9 men killed,13 wounded and 12 missing. Battalion HQ moved during the afternoon to huts in a sunken road near the late German Pioneer Camp." It was subsequently learnt that Francis went to the assistance of his batman who was in difficulties and met his death firing a Lewis Gun at the approaching enemy. In a fresh attack made by the Guards on 20th October his body was found and he was buried at the Carnieres Communal Cemetery Extension. CWGC records have 8 men killed, including Charles Vincent. Capt.Smith was found, but died of his wounds 6 days later |
photo : Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details